pond

1 of 2

noun

ˈpänd 

: a body of water usually smaller than a lake

a fishing pond

—sometimes used with the to refer informally or facetiously to the Atlantic Ocean

pond

2 of 2

verb

ponded; ponding; ponds

transitive verb

: to block (something, such as a stream) to create a pond

intransitive verb

: to collect in or form a pond

rain ponding on the road

Examples of pond in a Sentence

Noun

They moved here from across the pond.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Over time, these nutrients move through storm systems and waterways into larger bodies of water such as lakes and ponds. —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 4 Apr. 2026

The cost of cleanup Georgia Power has spent $2 billion to clean up 29 coal ash ponds in 11 sites across the state. —Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 3 Apr. 2026

Some people lamented on social media the empty spaces around a pond that used to be seamlessly encircled by flowering pink blossoms. —ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026

Almost all natural bodies of water bear fish life, with the exception of very hot thermal ponds and extremely salt-alkaline lakes, such as the Dead Sea in Asia and the Great Salt Lake in North America. —Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English ponde artificially confined body of water, probably alteration of pounde enclosure — more at pound

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1673, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing pond

• a big fish in a little pond
• a big fish in a small pond
• across the pond
• pond lily
• pond scum
• pond skater
• solar pond

Rhymes for pond

• awned
• blond
• blonde
• bond
• conned
• dawned
• donned
• fond
• frond
• gond
• maund
• pawned

Kids Definition

pond

noun

ˈpänd

: a body of water usually smaller than a lake